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Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015

Liz Cadman
ByLiz CadmanMay 13, 2015 | 36 comments

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Box

Sample Society is a monthly beauty subscription from BeautyBar.com and Allure Magazine. Typically the brands they include are high end, and the sample sizes are generous.

My Subscription Addiction pays for this subscription. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Items

The Subscription Box: Sample Society

The Cost: $15 a month

The Products: Deluxe and full-size beauty and makeup samples. (Each month you also get a $10 off $50 to use on any order from BeautyBar.com)

Ships to: the US

Delivered via: UPS

Check out all of my Sample Society reviews and the Beauty Subscription Box Directory!

Swap for any item in this box from the Sample Society Swap page!

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Info

The box comes with a mini-mag detailing each item and why Allure editors decided to include it in the box.

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Julep

Julep Lip Gloss in Graceful - .1 oz Value $8

I've sampled Julep's lip gloss before, and I like the formula. It gives a lot of shine, and this graceful shade gives just a hint of color.

John Frieda Luxurious Volume In-Shower Treatment - 1 oz Value $2.25

This is a volume treatment that you put on your hair for 2-3 minutes after shampoo and conditioner, then rinse out. It gets good reviews, and it is free of sulfates and parabens too. I haven't tried it yet, but I always want more volume, so I need to give it a try.

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Laneige

Laneige Water Sleeping Mask - 20 ml Value $5.50

This sleeping mask is a target exclusive. After cleansing your face, you apply the mask, leave it on overnight, and wash it off in the morning. I have this sample from the holiday Target Beauty Box and it's in my try-it pile. (But for some reason I always reach for the masks that harden/peel/change in 10 minutes). If you've tried this and recommend it - let me know!

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Perfume

Versace Eros Pour Femme Perfume - 5 ml Value $12

I'm a little weird when it comes to perfume samples in subscription boxes. If it is a 1-2 ml sample vial, I'm not happy since it feels like a freebie. But a 5 ml perfume mini - I love!

This scent probably isn't for me though - I may swap/share it.

Sample Society Subscription Box Review – May 2015 Avene

Avene Thermal Spring Water Spray - 50 ml Value $9

I've used a few of these Avene water sprays thanks to subscription boxes, and I love them! They are great for adding moisture back to your skin after a flight, or just as a refreshing spray.

Alterna Caviar Repair Multi-Vitamin Heat Protection Spray - .85 oz Value $8

Alterna is my favorite hair care line, so I'm always happy to see their samples in subscription boxes. (Everything they make smells great, works great, and is free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, synthetic dyes, etc.).

This product is designed to be a light conditioner and prevent heat damage. (You spray it on towel-dried hair). I tried it out on completely dry hair just to get a sense of the formula, and so far I'm a fan. It's lightweight and smells wonderful.

Verdict: This box has a value of about $45 - such an improvement over last month's Sample Society box! And I'm happy with the sizes of all the samples. What do you think of the May Sample Society box?

Liz Cadman
Liz Cadman
Liz is the founder of My Subscription Addiction. She's been hooked on subscription boxes since 2011 thanks to Birchbox, and she now subscribes to over 100 boxes. Her favorites include POPSUGAR Must Have, FabFitFun, and any box that features natural beauty products!

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36 comments

Melinda

Just received my first Sample Society beauty box and I loved every single item in the box. I was especially impressed with the booklet detailing each product and its benefits. I’ll be trying the Laneige Mask tonight after reading all the great comments about it. I was going to try the Versace Perfume through Scentbird so I’m glad I waited. I’m saving the Avene Spring Water for my summer trip to Florida and will definitely use the hair treatment products soon. I loved the Julep lip gloss but when I showed it to my teenage daughter she quickly asked if she could have it! Oh well! 🙂

I’m glad I took the leap and signed up for this sub box!

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liddybug

It is old. I’ve just been told by a customer service supervisor that that faq is from ages ago. She swears they just had too many subscribers so had to close the program to new subscribers but nothing will be changing. Don’t know if that’s true. Only time will tell but wanted to share that.

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Sue

I’m pretty happy overall with this month’s box. I won’t use the John Freida because I have thick hair to begin with, but everything else I will be trying!

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Jill

I quit Sample Society for awhile; the contents just were not worth it. When I saw the spoilers for this one that included two of my favorite brands Avene and Alterna, I signed up again back in April, but was told I couldn’t get the May box. Super irritated, not sure what I’m getting then. Maybe the left hand doesn’t know what the right hand is doing and I’ll actually get it. This used to be one of my favorite boxes (now DermStore’s box is), but if they keep up this type of selections I will be happy again.

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Heather

I used the sleeping mask when I got it in the target box and LOVED it! It is on my list of things to purchase using my target coupon I got in the most recent box.

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liddybug

Just to save everyone the trouble. I’ve called customer service three times in the last week just to see what’s up and none of them had a clue what I was talking about. They said no new subscribers but said they hadn’t heard a thing about Allure taking over and were unhelpful. Employees can be the last to know but since it’s in the faqs I doubt higher ups would keep it a secret. I’m not sure that this faq that’s been posted isn’t old from last year.

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Amanda

I’m thinking the “merger” being mentioned might be old news. Allure took over the Sample Society box last summer…

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liddybug

Lol I just posted the same thing. Especially since nobody at Sample Society or Beauty Bar has any clue what we’re talking about. Just that they had too many subscribers hence closed sign ups for the time being.

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Jenny

Ooo, gonna have to see if they have any one time boxes on their site! This looks good.

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Ragan

Check Amazon if Beauty Bar doesn’t have it. They’ve been selling some past Sample Society boxes there, too.

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liddybug

Another great box! I love getting perfume samples and I love this Versace one already do am thrilled to have a spare. Don’t wear lip products much but I like the sheer pink and it smells like sugar cookies. Love the facial spray. The mask is fabulous! Sinks in instantly and makes my skin look awesome and healthy. My hair is already naturally wavy and voluminous but I have a friend who wants the John Frieda volume gel so it will get used. I love Alterna products so will definitely use and love the heat protection spray. Very happy.

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Yogamom67

Loved everything in this box! While the scent of the perfume wasn’t my favorite, I can’t bear to put it up for a swap because the bottle is so awesome! Everything else in the box, I will definitely use myself, or gift to my sister or one of my nieces.

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Debbie

Careful with the Julep lip gloss. Their packaging is known to fail. I would put it in a ziplock if you carry it in your purse.

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chris

Yes, just happened to me for the first time last week!

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Missy

Water mask… did it last night, washed off this morning… skin felt ultra smooth! I’ll be hunting more of this down in swap.

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Venefica

im very happy with this months box. they are back up to their usual standards. ill keep this sub for a while longer

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PA Anna

This looks like a great box. I will purchase it if it shows up on Beauty Bar or Amazon. I’m curious to what the changes will be for June.

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AmyM

Was thinking the same thing — will definitely snatch it up if it becomes available as a one-time purchase.
Liz–the sleeping mask is great. Goes on so light and cool and you wake up with ultra-smooth skin.

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Fancy

I like the Laneige Water Sleeping Mask because I have oily skin that really doesn’t take well to moisturizers. Overnight products tend to break me out and make me feel greasy. This one is more gel-like so it’s cooling when applied and dries quickly. In the morning, my skin feels great.

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Kathy S

Anyone know why memberships aren’t available at this time? They have a few older boxes available for purchase, but nothing sooner than December.

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acidofoliate

ya. they’re merging with beauty box after the junebox.

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Missy

please tell me you don’t mean Beauty Box 5??? Took me a month to deal with them losing 2 boxes back to back and finally getting a refund.

kc

Could you tell a little more about a “merger.” I can’t find anything on it anywhere.

LAUREN

Is this a good thing? I love Sample Society brands & box curation. What’s the other box like?

Maggie

The Laneige sleep mask is A-MAZ-ING! Laneige is a popular Korean skincare and cosmetic brand. They are extremely popular in Asia, so I was pretty surprised when they were available in Target. This mask is Laneige’s most popular and best selling item. I have one myself before it was available here in the US and it really hydrates my skin. It’s very lightweight and has a great scent to it. I highly recommend it to any skin type, or if you need a extra boost of hydration. 🙂

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Katie

I tried the water sleeping mask a few nights ago and absolutely loved it! My skin was really luminous and plumped in the morning. It absorbs pretty quickly and it has a very soothing feel to it during application.

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acidofoliate

I’m super happy about the water spray; it should be a perfect pick me up when i’m outdoors this summer and just can’t even. Thanks allure; i feel like this was a worthwhile box.

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Joycelyn

Laneige is a great brand from Korea and has been only available overseas or in korean beauty stores. Recently they expanded to target which has made me so excited due to their lack of availability otherwise but I feel that because it is associated with target, its prestige has gone down dramatically.

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Meg D

It’s also available through sites like Rose Rose Shop and Tester Korea. Shipping can take a while but it’s the only way I can get it in Canada without cross-border shopping or travelling to a major urban centre which has Korean shopping 🙂 It’s my go-to night treatment at the moment – no greasy feeling in the morning, just smooth soft skin.

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acidofoliate

i wouldn’t be too down about it. quality speaks for itself, and affordability and accessibility are pros in my book!

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